A university don, Prof. Omerionwan Edu has advised state governments to embark on sensitisation campaigns to educate communities on the dangers of demanding high dowry payment from suitors seeking their daughters hand in marriage.
Edu, a professor of law at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, who made this call while delivering the 110th inaugural lecture of the institution, said many women have had to bear the pains of an oppressive marriage because they did not have the wherewithal to refund the dowry paid on them.
The don declared that while the payment of high dowry mainly occurs in the South East, all the synonyms used to depict dowry such as marriage payment, purchase price, bride price, bride-wealth, marriage token or marriage symbol, do not convey the true meaning or significance of the customary practice.
He said: “One thing that is clear is that the customary practice is not and does not envisage the sale of the bride.
“In traditional societies, dowry payment comprises services rendered by the intended bridegroom for the bride’s parents, gifts of cows, goats, yams, kolanuts, and other farm produce and a small amount of money.
“The services rendered by the intended husband are given to reciprocate the kind gesture of the parents, for bringing up and training the bride as well as for valuable consideration of conjugal, and other services rendered or that will be rendered by the intended bride.
“The payment of dowry elevates the value placed on the bride as a wife and legalizes her value under the marriage contract.”
Prof. Edu added that the payment of dowry may however, be waived, as it is not compulsory in some places.
He asserted that in many communities, including the Urhobos, Isokos and Itsekiris of Delta State, the quantum of dowry has not increased appreciably, but has been reviewed upwards in some communities, especially communities in the South East, owing to inflation.
The don submitted that downy which traditionally was meant to be a symbolic gesture or a token, is now beyond the reach of the average man in those communities.
“The quantum of dowry payable for the bride may be influenced by such considerations as the beauty, elegance, educational qualifications, social status, family connection and the status of the bride in some communities.
“When one considers the elements of haggling and bargaining, and negotiation leading to the actual amount that is payable together with the above factors aforementioned, which have effects on the amount paid as dowry, one cannot but say that a commercial element has been imported into dowry in some communities,” he said.
Also, Prof. Edu observed that in communities where the dowry is very high, there is a tendency for married women to remain in undesirable marital relationships, owing to fear that their parents may be unable to refund the dowry.
However, Prof. Edu clarified that although the payment of dowry appears to have been commercialised in some communities, he would not recommend the abrogation of the payment of dowry as that would amount to throwing away the baby with the bath water.
“Payment of dowry as has been noted, was designed to appreciate the parents for bringing up, and training the bride. This is as an aspect of our laws that must not be thrown away.
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“Section 21(1) of the constitution enjoins the state to protect, preserve and promote Nigerian cultures which enhance human dignity. Payment of dowry enhances the dignity of the Nigerian woman,” he said.
The don stated that in an attempt to curtail the commercialisation of dowry, several regional governments, and local authorities have enacted laws pegging the amount of money that can be paid as dowry, even though these laws have been observed more in the breach.
He therefore recommended the sensitization and education of those communities that have commercialised dowry.
“When the people are properly educated as to the dangers and backlash of exorbitant dowry on intended brides, they would have a rethink.
“There is therefore, the need for government at the state and local levels to establish institutions to educate the public, not just about the pitfalls of exorbitant dowry, but also about the dire consequences of anachronistic orientation toward the womenfolk,” Prof. Edu said.
